The problem is that people, at certain times, on certain days, have to wait too long. We're addressing that problem. Border Force need to change the way they operate, we need to work better with the operator BAA and with the airlines, and, as of today, we are instituting some changes as the summer starts. During the course of May we're employing 80 more people... You need the right people at the right time in the right terminal.

– Damian Green, Immigration Minister

Mobile rapid-response teams will be brought in

New shift patterns to offer 'additional flexibility'

During the Olympics all immigration desks at Heathrow and other key ports and airports in the South East will be fully staffed during peak periods

An immigration official at Terminal 1 at Heathrow Airport Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

The Immigration Minister Damian Green has blamed the rain for the length of queues at Heathrow airport, saying: "This was caused mainly by the severe weather leading to flight diversions and changing flight schedules and the bunching of arrivals."

The lengthy queues have been criticised by the shadow immigration minister Chris Bryant, London Mayor Boris Johnson and airlines.

The Immigration Minister Damian Green has stressed the need for airlines to work with the government-run Border Force to reduce the queues at Heathrow airport.

He has come under criticism from Willie Walsh, the Chief Executive of British Airways' parent company IAG, for what he called "inadequate" immigration services.

Speaking on the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme, Mr Green said:

Of course there is a problem...What's really important in this is that airlines, airport operators and Border Force need to work together. That is the way we solve it; that is the way passengers will have a better experience. Official Border Force figures show that it is about an hour and a half. I agree that that is too long...We are taking significant steps to make sure that Border Force is more flexible so that we have the right people in the right place at the right time.

The director of Employment and Skills policy at CBI, a business lobbying organisation has said that delays at the Heathrow border were "not acceptable". Neil Carberry commented on the recent pressure on the UK border:

“Not only do these queues project the wrong image about the UK being open to business and visitors alike, they risk undermining our reputation as a global trading hub. Of course our border security must be the number one priority, but this should not be incompatible with ensuring a good passenger experience.

Immigration Minister Damian Green has said that the Border Agency will strive to work with UK Airports in order to keep it "running smoothly", and that it will be "staffed fully" during the London 2012 Games.